About Us

Frances May is a directional men's and women's boutique located in Portland, Oregon. The business is a joint venture between grandmother, Connie Codding and granddaughter, Pamela Baker-Miller. The name for the shop was inspired by Connie's mother, Frances May, who was a school teacher and influenced the store's branding in the form of manilla elementary school flash cards and library slips.

Founded in 2008 with Pamela and first FM employee, Ashley, at the helm, the brand began curating select women's products and quickly expanded into menswear in the Fall of 2009 due to customer inquiries and enthusiasm. Frances May's approach is both personal and aspirational and has built a reputation on stocking hard-to-find goods from both established and up-and-coming, independent designers. In November of 2014, Frances May relocated one door down to a vintage rug shop, with more (much needed) space, including offices and a photo studio. Now we are a team of 9 holding it down at the store, creating content for the web, shipping out your packages and providing free astrology advice.

Since opening in April 2008, we have been an active member of our community as supporters of local arts organization PICA and producers of events to promote artist and designer alike. Since the 2016 presidential election, we have expanded our efforts and will continue to do so until change happens. We have contributed to the following organizations: ACLU of Oregon, Planned Parenthood, Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women, CHAP PDX, Houston Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals & St. Bernard Project.